From “The Sepia Woman II” by H. Kiley Roth

When the “Sepia Woman” entered private hands through unclear means after the 1918 revolution, it was prominently displayed in the Goldenthal Gallery in Stuttgart. Looted by the Nazis after Hans Goldenthal was rounded up in 1937, the “Woman” appears in a portfolio of stolen artwork prepared in 1943–the low-quality snapshots from this catalogue are the only other known photographs of the painting. Taken by the Soviets from Dresden in 1945, the “Sepia Lady” is believed today to reside in the Pushkin Museum annex, restricted from public display due to the official denials of any art looting at all from the government.

And through it all, from every link in the chain of custody, each owner stole the “Sepia Lady” from the previous one, and each owner died or faced deep misfortune soon after losing it.